''Ties that Bind'' is a 2011 drama film directed by Leila Djansi and starring

Kimberly Elise Kimberly Elise Trammel (born April 17, 1967) is an American film and television actress. She made her feature film debut in '' Set It Off'' (1996), and later received critical acclaim for her performance in ''Beloved'' (1998). During her career, ...

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde Omotola Jalade Ekeinde ( ; born Omotola Jalade, 7 February 1978) is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, Ekeinde has appeared in over 300 films, selling millions of copies. Omoto ...

and Ama K. Abebrese. It was filmed in

Ghana Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...

. It was nominated in 21 categories at the

2011 Ghana Movie Awards The 2011 Ghana Movie Awards was the second edition of the ceremony to reward film practitioners in the Ghana Film Industry. The event was held at Accra International Conference center on 25 December 2011. Winners included Kimberly Elise, Majid Miche ...

, and won 9 awards. It received 7 nominations at the

8th Africa Movie Academy Awards The 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony was held on 22 April 2012 at the Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria to honor the best African films of 2011. The nominees were announced on 17 March 2012 at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Banj ...

and eventually won the award for the category ''Achievement in Screenplay''.

Cast

as Theresa Harper * Ama K. Abebrese as Buki Ocansey *

as Adobea Onyomena *

John Dumelo John Dumelo (born 3 February 1984) is a Ghanaian actor, farmer and politician. On 1 April 2014 he emerged as the first Ghanaian to hit a million likes on Facebook. His parents are Mr. John Dumelo who was a Civil Engineer and Mrs. Antoinette Dumel ...

as Lucas Morison *

Ebbe Bassey Ebbe Bassey is a Nigerian American actress, who was nominated for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for playing "Maa Dede" in '' Ties That Bind'' (2011). Career Bassey has starred in many Nigerian and American fi ...

as Maa Dede * Kofi Adjorlolo *Fiifi Coleman as Eddie *

Eddie Nartey Eddie Nartey (born 6 November 1984) is a Ghanaian actor, director, and film producer. His supporting role in Frank Rajah's ''Somewhere In Africa'' earned him a nomination at the Nollywood and African Film Critics Awardsf, and Ghana movie awards. ...

*Khareema Aquiar *

Randall Batinkoff Randall Matthew Batinkoff (born October 16, 1968) is an American actor, known for his roles in the films '' For Keeps'', ''School Ties'', and ''Higher Learning''. Early life and education Batinkoff was born in Monticello, New York, the son of Bar ...

as Dan Dubick *

David Dontoh David Kwame Dontoh (born 1964) and affectionately called ''Uncle David'', ''"Ghanaman" and "Kofi Abranteɛ"'' (Kofi Gentleman), is a veteran Ghanaian actor and television personality who has starred in numerous local and international films, dram ...

* Dave Harper * Paulina Oduro * Kofi Middleton Mends *

Fred Amugi Fred Nii Amugi (born 5 November 1948) is a Ghanaian born veteran actor best known for his roles in Holby City, Beasts of No Nation and The Cursed Ones. He rose to prominence for his role in 1985 television series "Opinto". Early life Fred Am ...

Okyeame Kwame Kwame Nsiah-Apau (born 17 April 1976), known by his stage name Okyeame Kwame and nicknamed Rap Doctor, is a Ghanaian musician, songwriter, creative director and entrepreneur. Life and career Early life Apau was born in Kumasi, Ashanti Region ...

Grace Nortey Grace Nortey (born 1 February 1937) is a Ghanaian actress who has played several lead roles on Ghanaian television. She has been active in the film, theatre and drama industry for over five decades and is considered as one of the ace actresses ...

* Angel Etse * Kofi Asamoah * Khareemar Aguiar * Ziggy Nettyson

Reception

The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, especially for its acting and directing.

Nollywood Reinvented Nollywood Reinvented, also known simply as NR, is a website launched in 2011 and dedicated primarily to film reviews. It also provides information about films, actors, producers and other film people. It is one of the first review platforms ded ...

gave it a 79% rating and wrote on the transition of the script "It is one thing to write a story, Any story… anyone can do it… once upon a time… and that is the end of my story. But it’s a whole other ball game to construct a story in which every little detail ties together. A story like this is a story in which the characters need not tell us what to feel, you feel it regardless. The story is really sad, and just when you think it can’t possibly get any sadder. It does! It’s an incredibly easy and quick watch… ".

References

{{Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Screenplay 2011 films 2011 drama films Films set in Africa Best Screenplay Africa Movie Academy Award winners Films shot in Ghana 2010s English-language films English-language Ghanaian films Films directed by Leila Djansi